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RV travelers looking for a great outdoor adventure without the crowds and peak season rates will find winter is a great time to camp in California. Dave Simmons, CEO of Mighway, an RV rental specialist, points out that, because weather can still get a bit nippy on the coast, RV-ers should bring along extra layers of bedding and clothing. "Stay mostly in RV resorts with hookups," he advises, "so you can recharge the battery, which can drain overnight using the furnace." He notes that lots of RV resorts have clubhouses, game rooms, fitness centers and restaurants, providing plenty to do inside during stormy weather.

San Elijo State Beach

Surf the waves by day, get lulled to sleep by night at San Diego County's San Elijo State Beach Campground where the average winter temperature is 66 degrees. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the best views are from the west side. Walk to the charming seaside town of Cardiff from the resort, which has access to hookups, hiking trails, RV supplies, boogie boards, firewood and the Bull Taco snack bar.

Chula Vista RV Resort

In San Diego's South Bay on 17 acres of landscaped grounds surrounded by a five-star marina, boat owners take advantage of a free boat launch ramp. Enjoy amenities ranging from an outdoor pool and fitness room to a waterfront restaurant and a lovely park with trails, pier fishing, duck feeding and kite flying. There are 237 spaces with full hookups, some with bay views and all with privacy landscaping.

Crystal Cove State Beach Moro Campground

Get access to beaches, tide pools and deeply wooded canyons in Orange County near Laguna Beach. Crystal Cove has 28 designated RV and trailer sites without water or electric. Site occupancy is limited to eight people; there are clean restrooms and token-operated showers available. Park staff offer outings, exploring in tide pools and bird-watching or jewelry-making with sea glass.

Refugio State Beach

Twenty miles south of downtown Santa Barbara, take in majestic views of the mountains and Channel Islands. The 66 dry campsites without RV hookups are located steps from the sand, providing an ideal access point for swimming, fishing, scuba diving, surfing and kayaking.

Santa Barbara Sunrise RV Park

This is the only RV park located in the City of Santa Barbara. The luxury of location makes this one of the more affordable options close to world-class restaurants, wine- and beer-tasting rooms, galleries, shops and nightlife. It offers full hookups in the winter with a maximum stay of 28 days.

Hearst San Simeon State Park

Enjoy brilliant ocean views, an elephant seal rookery by the sea and proximity to world-famous Hearst Castle at San Simeon Creek Campground. The state park site in San Luis Obispo County has 115 RV campsites, each with a fire ring and picnic table, plus flush toilets, shower facilities and a dump station. Recreational activities include hiking, surfing, bird-watching and winter whale watching.

Cava Robles RV Resort

This new resort in Paso Robles, midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, provides convenient access to one of the Central Coast's leading wine regions. Full hookup sites include many pull-through with picnic tables. Amenities at the year-round resort include pools, spas, fire pits, a wellness center, dog parks, a game room and a putting green.

Kirk Creek Campground

Just off Highway 1, Kirk Creek Campground in Monterey County is a dog-friendly resort that includes 33 tent/RV sites without hookups or water, each with a picnic table, fire ring and grill. A camping permit provides free access to Sand Dollar Beach, a popular surfing and fishing spot, as well as to Pfeiffer Beach, a rocky shoreline well known to admirers of California's dramatic Big Sur coastline.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park

Nicknamed "Mini Yosemite," this popular camping destination, also in Monterey County, features the Big Sur River Gorge. The partially shaded site allows campers up to 24 feet in length. Due to the possibility of wintry weather, camp sites at Pfeiffer Big Sur are on a first-come, first-served basis from December 1 through mid-April as conditions allow.

Shadow Hills RV Resort

This top-rated, pet-friendly RV resort in the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley region offers top amenities such as a heated, saltwater pool, Jacuzzi, free Wi-Fi, fitness center and a 9,000-square-foot clubhouse. There are panoramic mountain views for 100 full hookup sites as well as proximity to world-class golfing, shopping, dining and culture.

Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground

Check out the Milky Way. At the southern edge of the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, this park features panoramic views of Joshua Tree National Park and spectacular star-filled night skies. Guests can reserve RV sites with power and water or go dry-camping on a first-come, first-served basis. Amenities include fishing at the lake, Wi-Fi, toilets, hot showers, a picnic area, children's playground and dump station.

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About the Author

Based in San Francisco, Laurie Jo Miller Farr is career-long destination and hotel marketing specialist. She contributes to CBS Travel, Where, Frommers, Foodie Travel USA and We Blog the World. She is editor of The Travel Vertical, a weekly newsletter for digital travel marketers. A former tourism director for NYC, Laurie Jo is a dual UK/US citizen who covered the 2012 London Olympics for "Best of Britain" and received the 2013 Yahoo Contributor of the Year Award.

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